walking around: ANCA Vasculitis

What the hell!

Why not get back to writing about what's happening in my life. Hence the title, that is what's happening in my life ... kidney disease, which may have been caused by inflammation or may have been the cause of inflammation. At least that's what 2 of my doctors have told me. The disease attacked my kidneys and my lungs. My kidney doctor says inflammation caused it and my pulmonary doctor says the disease, idiopathic [ unknown origin ] caused inflammation. And that's the biggest problem I have right now in dealing with this disease the conflicts surrounding origins and treatments.

Let's look at inflammation. According to the www. 'inflammation is the body's way of signaling to the immune system to begin repairing or getting rid of damaged tissue, as well as a way of defending the body against harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses. It does this by increasing its white blood cell count and surrounding the area.'

That does sound a bit like what happened. Except the white blood cells attacked healthy tissue and couldn't stop. If that's what happened what was the bacteria or virus that it is defending my body from?

On the other hand the vasculitis could have triggered the inflammation but that response has not been helpful to my kidneys or lungs.

This is a new disease. It is still being studied for causes and treatments. Right now the treatment is steroids to reduce inflammation with antibiotics and Vit. D and antacids to counteract the steroids. Plus IV infusions of rituxan. Rituxan reduces 'b' cells which produce ANCA which triggers the immune system to start attacking the blood cells.

Medications are beyond my area of expertise and hence out of my control. The other and equally vital treatment is to control my blood pressure to strengthen the organs under attack, kidneys and lungs. I'm taking an inhaler, 'Anoro', for my lungs and they are doing very well. I use an oximeter every day and my O2 stats are never below 97 which is very good. My pulmonologist says the lungs are clearing up. There is still some signs of the damage that has been done but that may improve. I also take my blood pressure every day and that has varied between 120/60 and 145/75. Not consistent and not healthy. i have medications for the blood pressure. Other factors such as environment, mental and emotional functioning, my actions and responses are in my control and need to be addressed more fully and consistently. Not as easy as it sounds. My interactions with my medical support is problematic because of inconsistencies and conflicting information.